Main Entry: pon·der
Pronunciation: pän-dr
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pon·dered; pon·der·ing /-d(-)ri/: to consider carefully - pon·der·er /-dr-r/ nounsynonymsPONDER, MEDITATE, RUMINATE mean to consider or examine closely or deliberately. PONDER implies prolonged thinking about a matter often with a careful consideration and weighing of different aspects or alternatives <pondered her next chess move>. MEDITATE implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply <meditated on the meaning of life>. RUMINATE implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests a more casual and less focused approach <ruminating on the possibilities the future might hold>.